Braco,

I'm picking mine up from a local BMW dealer outside of San Francisco. I don't know when mine left, but they have the VIN# and I have a guarantee from the manager that it will be here. They put my name on one on the lot, in case it doesn't get here in time. In short, they're holding 2-vehicles for me. Of course I put some cash down.

They're aware of the tax situation. As of 7-days ago it was still in South Carolina about to be loaded and shipped here. I was told it would probably show up on the 23rd or 24th.

In short: 20-days to ship. They did tell me that there was some sort of priority program they were able to utilize. I don't know if that was a line or not, but I'm not worried. As long as I have the VIN number, I'm satisfied, and it's on my "hold-receipt." For me this is a business purchase. I'm concerned about two things: the depreciation via a 172 deduction and the sales tax deduction. I'm self-employed, and unfortunately my wife also works full time, so we're getting hammered in taxes. This was the easiest way to eliminate a large chunk of the painful April check we'll have to write. The best part about the whole thing is that we've needed a car for an entire year. I use my vehicle for business for a good 95% of the mileage I put on it (legitimately, if you can believe it).

We sold our cars to move to the Bay Area, bought a (gag, cough, choke) piece of junk Honda Civic, and I've been in automotive hell for 12-months now. So, not only does the purchase keep more money in our pocket, but we finally get a decent car again.

I suppose I'll complete the purchase contract this week, at some point.

X5Sapphireblack: you SHOULD sign your purchase contract prior to the end of the year to take advantage of the sales tax deduction. Why wait?

EVERYONE ABOVE:

KEEP IN MIND THE FOLLOWING- even if you've singed your purchase contract, you still must take delivery for your purchase contract to be completed. If your sign the contract and your car arrives damaged, you need not take delivery. There is a ton of case law surrounding this.

If your car were to arrive damaged you may void your purchase contract. Of course, if this is a business tax purchase, it's best just to have your BMW repaired, once you perform the numbers, but there's not requirement to take delivery of your BMW if it requires a new body panel, etc. Your dealer, if he/she is ethical will tell you the same thing, if they have the slightest bit of legal knowledge (most do, as part of their salesmanship training).

I'm sure there are some attorneys floating around this board who will concur, so that's the least of your worries, in my opinion.

You're signing for a new /mint car. If a damaged car arrives, you need not accept it.